Consultant as Data Scientist

Program Overview

The Data Lab Unit aims to establish a leading hub for open-source data, code, and visualizations, fostering data democratization and collaboration among NGOs and development partners. By addressing critical challenges such as unsustainable data platform management strategies, technical inconsistencies, and high employee turnover, the unit will ensure the long-term sustainability and impact of WRI Indonesia's platforms. This initiative transforms grant-dependent outputs into powerful tools for driving positive change in climate resilience, social equity, and nature conservation across Indonesia and Southeast Asia. Aligning with WRI's strategy, the Data Lab Unit promotes systemic, data-driven solutions, transitioning WRI's approach from isolated project delivery to broader systems change while enhancing institutional capabilities and addressing financial sustainability gaps to create scalable, impactful initiatives.

Job Highlight

Data Scientist’s role will focus to leverage data to support evidence-based decision making across the organization. The key responsibilities include on data collection, cleaning, and analysis; data visualization; developing dashboard; and creating reports that translate complex data insight into actionable recommendation for all stakeholders. Additionally, this position is expected to develop models and tools to enabling evidence-based decision-making.

The Data Scientist will contribute in creating user-centered products that reflect WRI Indonesia’s commitment to impactful environmental solutions. Through this role, the individual will ensure the development and maintenance of high-quality products that align with user needs and organizational goals.

Working under direct supervision of Senior Lead for Data Engineer and Innovation, the post holder will work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team and will getting support from other workstream within Data Lab Indonesia to ensure a comprehensive approach. The position will be based in Jakarta with office-flex working arrangement and travel requirement as assigned. In support of WRI's DEI commitment, you are responsible for actively participating in these collaborative efforts by integrating equity into your work, our workplace, and the organizational culture.

What You Will Do

Data Engineering, Innovation and System Integration (80%)

• Conduct data collection, cleaning, transformation, and integration from various sources to ensure high-quality datasets for analysis.
• Apply statistical and machine learning techniques to extract meaningful insights and predictive models that support organizational objectives.
• Develop and maintain data visualization tools, dashboards, and reports to effectively communicate analytical findings to internal and external stakeholders.
• Implement and optimize algorithms to enhance data processing efficiency and predictive accuracy.
• Support the development of data infrastructure and pipelines to ensure scalability and reliability in data processing.
• Ensure compliance with data privacy, security policies, and ethical considerations in handling sensitive data.

Program Management (20%)

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand project needs, design data-driven solutions, and contribute to strategic planning.
• Provide technical support and training to other teams on data analysis best practices and tool utilization.
• Participate in knowledge-sharing initiatives and contribute to the institution's data governance and innovation efforts.
• Stay up to date with advancements in data science, machine learning, and industry trends to continuously improve analytical capabilities.
• Develop and maintain documentation for data analysis best practices and tool utilization to support team operations and knowledge transfer.

What You Will Need

• Bachelor’s degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related field. Master’s degree is preferred.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in data science, data analytics, or a similar role.
• Solid methodological grounding in matters of indicator development, measurement, supporting data evidence (sources, collection, analysis), and reporting (including dashboards).
• Proficiency in programming languages related to data collection, data management, and statistical software/programming (e.g. STATA, Python, R, SQL). with experience in machine learning libraries and frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, Scikit-learn, PyTorch).
• In-depth knowledge and skill in mathematical and quantitative reasoning.
• Experience creating and using advanced machine learning models (supervised, unsupervised, semi-supervised, and reinforcement learning) and statistics (e.g. statistical tests, distributions, regression, maximum likelihood estimators, etc.).
• Minimum 2 years of experience building data visualizations with an understanding of the appropriate chart types to use to highlight patterns in the data;
• Proficiency in using Tableau, Power BI, Flourish and/or data visualization tools.
• A generalist with working knowledge of data visualization libraries and packages used today: Python (Seaborn, Bokeh, Kepler.gl), R (ggplot2, r2d3) and JavaScript (D3.js, Vega, Plotly) etc.
• Demonstrated ability to seek out, collate, and synthesize inputs from across sectoral and thematic boundaries.
• Business proficiency in verbal and written communication, and in working collaboratively with a variety of colleagues and clients in a remote development environment;
• Strong analytical and organizational skills;
• Eagerness to learn, to help, to share knowledge;
• Ability and willingness to travel when needed
• Legally able to work in Indonesia.

Duration

1 May 2025 - 31 December 2025

Deliverables

1. Automate data collection processes, achieving a 90% reduction in manual data entry errors, and ensuring at least 80% accuracy and completeness in data preprocessing, cleaning and transformation
2. Develop and deploy a minimum of two predictive models that achieve a model accuracy rate of 80% or higher on validation datasets per quarter that improve program metrics and insight
3. Develop and maintain at least three interactive dashboards or analytical reports per quarter
4. Enhance and automate data pipelines to reduce processing time by at least 20% within the first six months
5. Conduct at least two training sessions or knowledge-sharing workshops per quarter to support internal capacity-building efforts
6. Maintain 100% adherence to data governance, security, and privacy policies in all data handling activities

Terms of Payment

Daily rate-based consultant with a maximum of 162 (one hundred sixty-two) working days for the whole contract period or 18 (eighteen) working days per month on average.

Contract Arrangement

Individual consultancy contract (Part-time, limited term)

What we offer

• Consultant rate that is commensurate with experience and skills
• Travel insurance for both domestic and international for any travel duty as assigned by WRI Indonesia
• Access to the WRI global network
• A workplace that strives to put diversity and inclusion at the heart of our work

Must have authorization to work in Indonesia to be eligible for this position.

Final candidates might be required to take a writing test and to produce two writing samples when needed.

How to apply: In order to be formally considered, please submit an updated resume and cover letter through WRI career portal . 

Application close: 1700 (DKI Jakarta local time), 18 April 2024. We will close the advert earlier when the best candidates are identified at earlier dates. 

This is a locally engaged position; Indonesian nationals are encouraged to apply.

About Us

Founded in 1982, World Resources Institute (WRI) is an independent, nonprofit global research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity, and human well-being. We are working to address seven critical challenges that the world must overcome this decade to secure a sustainable future for people and the planet: climate change, energy, food, forests, water, sustainable cities, and the ocean. WRI has a global staff of over 1,800 people with work spanning 60 countries. We have offices in Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Colombia and the United States, as well as a growing presence in other countries and regions.  

The foundation of our work is delivering high-quality research, data, maps, and analysis to solve the world’s greatest environment and international development challenges and improve people’s lives. We work with leaders in government, business, and civil society to drive ambitious action and create change on the ground. Equally important, we bring together partners to develop breakthrough ideas and scale-up solutions for far-reaching, enduring impact.

Our mission and values:

WRI’s mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earth’s environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current and future generations.

Our values are shared ideals that bind us together: Integrity, Innovation, Urgency, Independence, Respect. 

Our culture:

WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission and applies this principle to our organizational and programmatic practices. We are committed to providing equal opportunities in employment, we embrace all diversity and encourage women, gender diverse communities, persons with disabilities, Afro-descendants, and Indigenous people to apply. Recognizing our strong commitment to gender equality, WRI has also been awarded EDGE certification.

WRI Indonesia is national entity (Yayasan) associated with the World Resources Institute (WRI), a global environmental research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity, and human well-being. WRI work with various stakeholders in the natural resources sector to support policy and management that are both profitable and sustainable. WRI work with leaders in more than 50 countries for more than 30 years, with offices in Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico, and the United States.

Launched in early 2014, WRI Indonesia builds on WRI’s 10-year history in the country, and strengthens our impact on the ground. In the short-to-medium term, WRI Indonesia aims to expand its presence.